Jazz Bassist Pat Collins

jazz bassist, musician, composer, educator

Pat Collins

(jazz bassist, musician, composer, educator)
Pat Collins was raised in Qualicum Beach, British Columbia. He began taking piano lessons at the age of six, and at the age of thirteen, through the encouragement of his high school band teacher Bill Cave, turned to the electric bass. Pat continued playing electric bass throughout high school, forming a trio with pianist/saxophinist Phil Dwyer and drummer Rich Cave. The trio received many accolades, performing at many music festivals across Canada.

Upon completing high school, Pat began learning the acoustic bass, which was a natural progression, given that jazz was the musical focus in his life at that point. Pat was very fortunate to have Vancouver bassist/producer Rick Kilburn move to Qualicum Beach at this time. Rick had been living in New York City for the past several years, performing with the likes of Dave Brubeck, Jerry Bergonzi and John Scofield. Pat studied with Rick Kilburn for four years, including two years at Malaspina College in Nanaimo, B.C. Malaspina College was a great opportunity for Pat, giving him a chance to continue studies with Rick Kilburn, as well as provide a chance to play and learn with other musicians like Ingrid Jensen, Anita Bonkowski and Lee Ellefson.

After finishing Malaspina College, one of his teachers, Collin MacQuarrie, arranged an audition for Pat with the renowned vocal jazz arranger/clinician/teacher Phil Mattson. Pat passed the audition, and in the summer of 1986, Pat toured the United States with the Phil Mattson Singers, performing concerts and doing clinics. This proved to be an invaluable experience for Pat on many levels - an opportunity to travel, develop his repertoire, and most importantly, meet his future wife Sherri! One of the members of the Phil Mattson Singers was vocalist/arranger/pianist Michelle Weir. Both Phil Mattson and Michelle Weir have been very strong influences on Pat's playing, helping him to understand much more about the importance of melody, as well as being a good accompanist.

Upon completion of his tour with Phil Mattson, with the assistance of the Canada Council for the Arts, Pat attended the Berklee College of Music, in Boston, Ma. Berklee was a great opportunity for Pat to get a sense of what the "real world" of music would be like. While at Berklee, Pat had the opportunity to study with renowned educators Herb Pommeroy and Hal Crook and study bass with John Rapucci, Dave Clark and Bruce Gertz. Pat also performed at various concert and club venues through New England, with the likes of Danillo Perez, Delfaeyo Marsalis, Julian Joseph, Jim Black and Antonio Hart.

After marrying his wife Sherri in 1988, Pat moved to Toronto. Pat's first big "break" in Toronto's jazz community came when Moe Koffman asked him to join his quintet. Pat was thrilled with the opportunity to play with Moe, as well as the other members of the band, Ed Bickert, Bernie Senensky and Barry Elmes. Moe's band was a great learning experience for Pat, as well as opportunities to travel throughout Canada, the United States and Germany. Moe's band performed one week per month at the famous jazz club, George's Spaghetti House. Pat also had many other chances to play at George's, with musicians like Don Thompson, John Ballentyne, Campbell Ryga and Ed Bickert.

Since moving to Toronto, Pat continues to be very active on the Canadian jazz scene. He has performed with many great musicians including Rob McConnell, Oscar Peterson, Peter Appleyard, Diana Krall, Lorne Lofsky, Hugh Fraser, Oliver Jones, Denzal Sinclaire, Shirley Eikhard, and Ed Bickert, to name a few. Pat has also had the opportunity to perform with visiting American jazz artists such as Joe Henderson, Dizzy Gillespie, Jimmy Cobb, Lee Konitz, Ray Bryant, Bill Mays, Tal Farlow and Herb Ellis amongst others.

In recent years, Pat has also been busy as an educator. He is on the music faculty of both Humber College in Toronto, Ont., and Mohawk College, in Hamilton, Ont., as well as The Kincardine Summer Music Festival, and "The" Jazz Camp, in Parry Sound, Ont. Pat has adjudicated at Music Festivals across Canada, including Musicfest Canada, and done clinics across Canada and the United States.

After appearing on more than fifty recordings as a sideman, Pat recorded his first CD under his own leadership, entitled "In The Moment", which was released in January, 2005. This CD, on the Cornerstone label, features some of Canada's finest jazz musicians - Mike Murley, saxophones, Reg Schwager, guitar, and Barry Elmes, drums. "In The Moment" features all original music composed by Pat.

Pat continues to live in the Toronto area, with his wife and two children, busy with playing, composing and teaching.